Event Comment: The
United Company. The date of the premiere is not certain, but the fact that a song in the play, composed by
Henry Purcell and sung by
Mrs Hudson, is in the
Gentleman's Journal, January@February 1693@4 (advertised in the
London Gazette, No 2955, 5-8 Marcn 1693@4) suggests that the play had its premiere in February. The play was advertised in the
London Gazette, No 2959, 19-22 March 1693@4. The music for additional songs was composed by Henry Purcell:
The danger is over, sung by Mrs Hudson, is in
Joyful Cuckoldom, ca. 1695;
I sighed and owned my love, sung by
Mrs Ayliff, is in
Thesaurus Musicus, Book III, 1695. See also
Purcell's Works,
Purcell Society, XX (1916), i-iii. Two songs were composed by
John Eccles:
Still, I'm grieving, sung by
Mrs Bracegirdle; and
Give then royal maid your sorrows o're, sung by
Mrs Cibber, are in
Thesaurus Musicus, 1695.
Gentleman's Journal, March 1694 (advertised in
London Gazette, No 2964,5-9 April 1694):
Mr Southern's new Play call'd
The Fatal Marriage; or, The Innocent Adultery, has been so kindly receiv'd, that you are by this time no stranger to its merit. As the world has done it justice, and it is above my praise, I need not expatiate on that subject. [See also 22 March 1693@4.
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Fatal Marriage Or The Innocent Adultery